iHgtg of §o\xpt$&. 



<%a<,/~: \M 







t^At^M.. 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



~ 



7^7 



Short and Easy 



J J 



m 



I 



^ 



—OF THE- 



Catholic R 



LIC TVELIGION, 



khiv. jyx>, 



CLEVELAND, O.: 

SJEYIKS* STEAM FRINTTXG HOUSE, 
1870. 






$ 



Entered accDrding to Act of Congress in the year 1870, by 

REV. JOHN DAUDET, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for 
the Northern District of Ohio. 



PRAYER 

BEFORE CATECHISM. 

Our heavenly Father, we come hither with joy, as. to 
thy school, to hear and learn thy blessed word ; we arc 
in thy presence, we know that thou seest us ; grant us the 
grace of assisting with attention, respect and modesty at 
this Catechism. Adorable Jesus! who didst love children, 
speak to our hearts in this instruction, for thou hast the 
words of Eternal life. Avien. Our Father, &c. Hail 
Mary, cScc. 

AFTER CATECHISM. 

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God ! we beseech 
thee through thy holy cross and passion, through thy death 
and glorious resurrection, be gracious and merciful unto 
us and all sinners — O Jesus ! hear us; O Jesus ! save us ; 
O Jesus ! have mercy upon us ; strengthen our faith ; in- 
crease our hope, and make us perfect in the love of God 
and of our neighbor: that in thi? life we may serve thee 
alone. 



FORMS OF PRAYER THAT ALL CHRISTIANS 
SHOULD KNOW AND SAY DAILY : 



THE SIGN OF THE CROSS. 

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the 
Holy Ghost, Amen. 



THE LORD'S PRAYER. 

Our Father who art in heaven ! hallowed be thy name ; 
thy kingdom come ; thy will be done on earth, as it is in 
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive 
us our trespasses, as we forgive them who trespass against 
us ; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from 
evil. Amen. 

THE ANGELIC SALUTATION. 

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, 
blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of 
thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for 
us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen, 

THE APOSTLES' CREED. 

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of 
heaven and earth ; and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our 
Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the 
Virgin Mary ; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, 
dead and buried ; he descended into hell ; the third day 
he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, 
sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; 
from thence he shall come to judge the living and the 
dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost ; the Holy Catholic 
Church ; the communion of Saints ; the Forgiveness of 
sins, the Resurrection of the body, and Life everlasting. 
Amen. 

AN ACT OF FAITH. 

O my God ! I firmly believe all the sacred truths the 
Catholic Church believes and teaches, because thou hast 
revealed them who canst neither deceive nor be deceived. 

AN ACT OF HOPE. 

O my God ! relying upon thy goodness and promises, I 
hope to obtain grace to serve thee in this world, and life 



5 



everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, ray Ix>rd 
and Redeemer. 

AN ACT OF LOVE. 

O rny God ! I love thee above all things with my 
whole heart and soul, because thou art infinitely worthy 
of love ; I love also my neighbor as myself, for the love 
of thee ; I forgive all who have injured me, and ask par- 
don of all whom I have injured. 

ACT OF CONTRITION. 

my God ! I am most heartily sorry for ail my sins, 
and I detest them, above all things, from the bottom of 
my heart, because they displease thee, who art most de- 
serving of all my love. I firmly purpose, by thy holy 
grace, never more to offend thee, and to amend my life. 

THE CONFITEOR. 

1 confess to Almighty God, to the blessed Mary, ever 
Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed 
John the Baptist, to the Holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, 
and to all the Saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in 
thought, word and deed, through my fault, through my 
most grievous fault. Therefore, I beseech the blessed 
Mary, ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, 
blessed John the Baptist, the Holy Apostles, Peter and 
Paul, and all the Saints, to pray to the Lord our God for 
me. 

May the Almighty God have mercy on me, forgive me 
my sins, and bring me to everlasting life. Amen. 

May the Almighty and Merciful Lord give me pardon, 
absolution, and remission of my sins. Amen. 

THE ANGELUS. 

I. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary; and 
she conceived of the Holy Ghost. Hail, Mary, &c. 



2. Behold the handmaid of the Lord ; be it done unto 
me according to thy word. Hail, Mary, &c. 

3. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt amongst 
us. Hail, Mary, &c. 

LET US PRAY. 

Pour fourth, we beseech thee, Lord, thy grace into 
our hearts ; that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ, 
thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, 
may by his passion and cross be brought to the glory of 
his resurrection, through the same Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

BEFORE MEALS, SAY : 

Bless us, O Lord! and these thy gifts, which we are 
about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

AFTER MEALS, SAY : 

We give thee thanks, O Almighty God ! for all thy ben- 
efits, who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen. 

DECALOGUE. 

1. I am the Lord thy Gad; thou shalt not have strange 
gods before me. 

2. Thou shalt not take the name of God in vain. 

3. Thou shalt keep holy the Sabbath day. 

4. Honor thy father and mother. 

5. Thou shalt not kill. 

6. Thou shalt not commit adultery. 

7. Thou shalt not steal. 

8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy 
neighbor. 

9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife. 
10, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods. 



A Short Form of Confession. 



The penitent before entering the confessional examines 
his conscience on the Commandments of God and of the 
Church, on the Seven Deadly Sins, &c, excites in his 
heart sorrow for his sins, and makes a firm resolution to 
avoid them for the future. 

Having knelt down in the Confessional, he makes the 
sign of the cross and says : 

Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. I confess 
to Almighty God and to you, Father. 

He then states how long since his last confession, and 
whether he received absolution and performed his pen- 
ance. After this he says : 

I ACCUSE MYSELF, &C 

Here he mentions his sins, and how often he has com- 
mitted them since his last confession. 
•He then says : 

For these sins and all the others I do not now 
remember, i am heartily sorry, and ask pardon 
of God and penance and absolution of you, Fa- 
ther, IF YOY JUDGE ME WORTHY. 

After having humbly listened to the advice of his Con- 
fessor, he renews his sorrow and says the Act of Con- 
trition while the Priest gives the absolution. 

After retiring from the Confessional, he should spend 
some time before the altar in making Acts of Thanksgiv- 



INTRODUCTION. 



Who made you? 
God made me. 

What is God? 
God is the Maker and Sovereign Lord of all things. 

Why did God make you ? 
To know, love and serve him. 

What will God give to those who love and serve him t 
Life everlasting. 

What is life everlasting ? 

A life of a perfect and eternal happiness hereafter. 

How cio we know how to serve, God? 
By the religion. 

What is the religion ? 

Religion is the whole of the requisites to obtain life- 
everlasting. 

How many religions are there ? 

There is only one true religion, as there is only one 
God. 

Why do not all men follow the true religion ? 
Because, being of free will, some rebel against God and 
make religions of their own. 

Which is the trtte religion ? 

It is that which was revealed by Christ, and handed 
down to us without change. 

How do we call the true religion ? 
The Catholic religion. 

What does it contain ? 

Mysteries, Sacraments and Commandments. 



THE FIRST PART. 



MYSTERIES. 



LESSON I. 

What are mysteries ? 

Mysteries are truths revealed by God, which we belie ve r 
though we do not understand. 

How can we believe what 7ve do not understand / 

We believe, because God is truth itself and cannot 
deceive us. 

How do we know what God has revealed ? 
By the teaching of the church. (See lessons on the 
church.) 

Is there no pariiadar statement of the mysteries of the 
religion ? 

There is one, very ancient, and called the Apostle's 
Creed. 

Say it. 

I believe in God &c. (Page 4.) 

Which are the chief mysteries of the religion ? 
The Holy Trinity, the Incarnation and the Redemp- 
tion. 



LESSON II.— THE HOLY TRINITY. 

Is there more than one God ? 

There is only one God, who made heaven and earth 
and all things. 

Had God a beginning ? 

God had no beginning : he always was and will always 
be, that is, he is eternal. 



10 



Has God a body ? 

God has not a body : he is pure spirit, and infinitely 
perfect. 

Where is God? 

God is everywhere, filling heaven and earth with his 
presence. 

Does God know and see all things ? 
God knows and sees at once all things past, present 
and future. 

What is the Holy Trinity ? 

The Holy Trinity is one God in three persons. 

Is there three persons in God? 

Yes, there are three persons in God : the Father, the 
Son and the Holy Ghost. 

Is the Father God ? 

The Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Ghost is 
God. 

Are these Three Divine Persons three Gods ? 
They are only one God, one Divine Essence. 

Which is the most ancient \ or the most perfect ? 
These Three Divine Persons are equal in all. 

What is Providence ? 

Providence is the action of God ruling the world. 



LESSON III.— THE CREATION AND MAN. 

(Genesis, chapters i, 2 and 3.) 
How long ago was the world created ? 
About six thousand years ago. 

Did God make it all at once f 

God could make the world all at once, but he was 
pleased to make it in six days, and gradually. 



II 

Of what did he make it ? 
Out of nothing, by his word. 

What did he create on the first day f 
Heaven and earth and the light. 

What on the second ? 
The firmament. 

What on the third? 

On the third day God separated the waters from the 
'iarth, and made the latter produce all kinds of plants 
and fruits. 

What on the fourth t 

The sun, the moon and the stars. 

What on the fifth t 

On the fifth he made the fishes of the sea and the 
fowls of the air. 

What on the sixth ? 

On the sixth day God made the beasts of the earth, and 
the last of all, he made mart to his image and likeness. 

Why did God create man the last? 

To show his excellence over the other creatures. 

In ivhat is man superior to the other creatures ? 

In his having a body and an immortal soul, being of 
free will, capable of knowing God. and destined to life 
everlasting. 

Who was the first man ? 
Adam. 

The first woman ? 
Eve. 

Where did Adam and Eve live in the beginning ? 
They lived happy in a place of the earth, called the 
-earthly paradise. 



12 

Did they preserve their primitive happiness ? 
They did not, for they disobeyed God by eating for- 
bidden rruit. 

How were they punished? 

They were expelled from the earthly paradise, con- 
demned to death, and excluded from heaven. 

How is their disobedience called ? 
Original sin. 

Why ? 

Because it passes to their posterity. 

Do all men come from Adam and Eve? 
All men come from Adam and Eve. 

Are all men born in the state of original sin f 
All men are born in the state of original sin, but Christ 
and his mother. 



LESSON IV.— ANGELS. 

(St. Luke, i and 2.) 

Did God create only man to know, love and serve him ? 
God created also angels to know, love and serve him. 

What are angels ? 

Angels are spirits, not having a body. 

How many sorts of angels are there f 
There are two sorts of angels, the good and the bad 
angels. 

Who are the good angels ? 

The good angels are those who remained faithful to 
God when some rebelled. 

How were they rewarded for their fidelity ? 
They were confirmed forever in grace and glory. 



What are they doing ? 

They adore God in heaven, and are the ministers of his 
providence in the world. 

Who arc the guardian angels ? 

The guardian angels are those who take care of man. 
Every one of us has a guardian angel. 

Who are the bad angels ? 

They are those who rebelled against God. 

How were they punished for their rebellion ? 
They were expelled from heaven and condemned to 
hell. 

Hc7u are they called ? 
Devils. 

What are they doing ? 

They tempt men on earth by the permission of God, 
and torment the wicked in hell. 

Why do devils tempt us ? 

Because they are jealous of our being called to fill their 
nlaces in heaven. 



LESSON V.— THE INCARNATION. 

What is the mystery of the Incarnation ? 
The mystery of the Incarnation is the Son of God 
made man. 

How was the Son of God made man ? 
By taking a soul and a body in the chaste womb of the 
Blessed Virgin Mary. 

How do we call the Son of God made man ? 
Jesus Christ 



u 



Is Jesus Christ together God and man f 
Jesus Christ is together God and man, but his divinity 
and his humanity are only one person. 

How is Christ God ? 

Christ is God, because he is truly the second person of 
the Holy Trinity. 

Ho7v is Christ man ? 

Christ is man, because he has a body and a soul like 
ours. 

Has Christ a father ? 

Christ has a heavenly father, who is the first person of 
the Holy Trinity; but according to flesh, he has no father, 
being born of the Blessed Virgin Mary through the opera- 
tion of the Holy Ghost. 

Where was Christ bom / 
Tn Bethlehem, a small town of Judea; 

On what day ? 
On Christmas day. 

IFow long did Christ live on earth / 
About thirty-three vears. 



LESSON VI. 

IV hat is the Blessed Virgin ? 

The mother of Christ, the very same woman so often 
mentioned in the old prophesies. 

Was she born, like the other children of Adam, in tin 
state of original sin ? 

No, being called to be the mother of Christ, she was 
exempt from the stain of original sin. 

How do toe call that exemption ? 

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 



Was the Blessed Virgin Mary exempt only from orig- 
inal sin f 

She was also exempt from actual sin, and from all evil 
inclinations common to humanity. 

Was she married? 

She was married to St. Joseph, who like her was of the 
tribe of Judea and of die royal blood of king David. 

Hcnv ean she be called virgin, having been married 
and being a mother ? 

She is called virgin, because, though married, she did 
not cease to live virgin, and, as mother, she conceived of 
the Holy Ghost and not of man. 

Where did she live after her marriage ? 
She lived thirty years in Nazareth with Jesus and St. 
Joseph. 

Where was she during the public mission of our Divine 
Savior ? 

She followed him wherever he went, and was standing 
by the cross when he died. 

What became of her when our Lord had left the earth t 
She followed St. John, the apostle, to whose care she 
had been entrusted by her Divine Son. 

Where did she die ? 

She died in Jerusalem, at the age of seventy-two years, 
amid the apostles. 

Is there any tradition concerning her resurrection ? 

There always was a tradition prevailing in the church,, 
that she was raised from the dead, three days after her 
death, and made her ascent into heaven in soul and body. 

Why do we call her mother of God ? 
Because she h truly mother of God, her son, Jesus 
Christ, being God. 



16 

Can you illustrate that by a similitude ? 

Yes ; the mother of a man who is king is styled mother 
of the king; so Jesus Christ being God, his mother is 
mother of God. 



LESSON VII.— THE REDEMPTION. 

(St. Matt., chs. 26, 27, 28.) 

What is the mystery of the Rede7nption ? 

The mystery of the Redemption is the restoration of 
man to his primitive destiny by the sufferings and death 
of Christ. 

What was the primitive destiny of man ? 

The primitive destiny of man was, after having lived 
some time on earth, to go to heaven and possess life ever- 
lasting. 

How did ?nan lose his primitive destiny ? 
By original sin. 

Could not man before Christ go to heaven ? 
No man before Christ could go to heaven. 

And now can we go to heaven ? 

All men now can go to heaven, having been redeemed 
by Christ. 

IIozu did Christ suffer, as man or as God ? 
Christ suffered only as man, because God cannot Suffer 
nor die. 

But if Christ suffered only as man, how could he re- 
deem mankind? 

Christ, as God, gave an infinite merit to his sufferings, 
and thereby full satisfaction to the divine justice for all 
men. 

What kind of death did he suffer ? 
He was crucified. 



17 

On what day did Christ die ? 
On Good Friday. 

What became of his body ? 

His body was taken down fiom the cross and buried 
by his Aposdes and disciples. 

What became of his soul? . 

His soul descended into limbo to deliver the saints of 
the ancient law. 

What was limbo ? 

A place where the souls of the just before Christ were 
detained until the Redemption. 



LESSON VIII.— THE RESURRECTION AND THE 
ASCENSION. 

What did happen on the third day after Christ's death? 
He rose from the dead, uniting again his body to his 
soul. 

On what day ? 
On Easter Sunday. 

How long did Christ remain on earth after his resur- 
rection ? 

He remained 40 days, during which he often appeared to 
his Disciples, and gave his last instructions to his Apostles. 

When did he leave the earth ? 
On the Ascension day. 

Where did he go ? 

He ascended into heaven, where he is sitting at the 
right hand of God. 

Has God any right hand? 

Goi has no right nor left hand, but we mean that 
ChriV, as God, is equal to his heavenly Father, and, as 
mar, he shares in the glory of the Divinity. 



18 

Where is Christ now ? 

Christ, as God, is everywhere ; as man, he is in heaven 
and in the Holy Eucharist. 

Will Christ no more appear visibly on earth ? 
He will come at the end of the world with great maj- 
esty, to judge the living and the dead. 

On what day did he send the Holy Ghost to his Apos- 
tles? 

On Pentecost day. 

And to what purpose ? 
» To confirm them in their mission and give them a new 
mark of the divine assistance. 



LESSON IX.— THE CHURCH. 

How do we know with certainty what God revealed? 
By the Church. 

How do we receive the benefit of the Redemption ? 
By the church. 

What is the Church ? 

The church is a society, established by Christ, of all 
those who believe and profess his doctrine. 

How did Christ establish the church ? 
By appointing a permanent body of pastors* whom He 
commanded all men to hear and obey. 

What conditions are requisite to be a member of the 
church ? 

Three conditions are requisite : faith, baptism and sub- 
mission to the lawful pastors. 

Who were the first pastors of the church ? 
The Apostles. 



19 



On what particular occasio?i were they made pastors ? 

When Christ said to them : "All power is given to me 

' in heaven and in earth. Going therefore, teach all na- 

* tions ; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of 
'the Son, and of the Holy. Ghost, teaching them to ob- 

* serve all things whatsoever I have commanded to you ; 
1 and behold I am with you all days, even to the consum- 
'mation of the world." — (Matt, xxvii : 18, 19, 20.) 



LESSON X.— THE CHURCH CONTINUED. 

Who are now the pastors of the church ? 
The Pope and the Bishops, as the right successors of 
the Apostles. 

What does Pope mean ? 
Universal pastor. 

Who was the first Pope ? 
St. Peter. 

When was he appointed Pope ? 

When he received from Christ, with the keys of the 
kingdom of heaven, a general jurisdiction. — (St. Matt, 
xvi : 18, 19.) 

Why is the Bishop of Rome the Pope ? 
Because St. Peter had his see in Rome, and died Bish- 
op of Rome. 

What means Bishop ? 
Regular pastor. 

Who were the first Bishops ? 
The Apostles. 

What are Priests ? 

Priests are the deputies of the Bishops, from whom they 
derive their jurisdiction. 



20 

What is the duty of the Pastors ? 

The duty of the pastors is threefold : 1st, to teach 
the religion ; 2d, to administer the sacraments ; 3d, to 
guide the faithful in the way of salvation. 

What is the duty of the faithful? 

The duty of the faithful is likewise threefold: 1st, to 
hear their pastors ; 2d, to receive the sacraments at their 
liands ; 3d, to obey them in religious matters. 

Is the church infallible ? 

Yes, the church is and must be infallible in matter of 
faith, because Christ commanded all men to receive her 
teaching under penalty of damnation. — (St. Mark xvi, 
'SO 

How is the church infallible ? 

The church is infallible, 1st, in the general teaching of 
ner pastors ; 2d, in the decisions of the general or ecu- 
menical councils; 3d, in the solemn decisions of the 
Pope. 

What is a council? 

An assembly of bishops convened for regulating reli- 
gious matters. 

When is a council general or ecumenical? 
When all the bishops are convened and presided over 
by the Pope. 



LESSON XI —THE MARKS OF THE TRUE CHURCH. 

Is there any mark or character of the true chruch ? 
There are four marks' or characters of the true church. 

Which are they ? 

One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. 



21 



What does One mean ? 

One means that the true church must be one body, 
with one head, having everywhere same constitution, same 
faith, same sacraments. 

What does Holy mean ? 

Holy means that the true church must promote virtue 
and holiness in an eminent degree. 

What does Catholic mean ? 

Catholic means that the true church must teach all men, 
maintain the whole doctrine of Christ and never fail in 
the course of time. 

What does Apostolic mean ? 

Apostolic means that the true church, in her doctrine 
and hierarchy, must descend from the Apostles, without 
change or interruption. 

Can the Catholic church clai?n all these ??iarks? 

Yes, she can claim all these marks, for 

1st, She is one body, with one head, and she has 
everywhere same constitution, same faith, same sacra- 
ments. 

2d, No where else is to be found so much good, chas- 
tity, charity and devotedness. 

3d, She teaches all men, being spread all over the 
world, maintains the whole doctrine of Christ, and did 
never fail. 

4th, She traces her teaching and hierarchy to the 
Apostles, without change or interruption. 



LESSON XII.— THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. 

What is the Bible ? 

The Bible is a book containing the writings of inspired 
and holy men. 



22 

How is the Bible divided ? 

The Bible is divided into two parts : The Old and the 
New Testament. 

What does the Old Testament contain ? 
The Old Testament contains the Holy Scriptures before 
Christ. 

What does the New Testament contain ? 
The New Testament contains the Holy Scriptures after 
Christ. 

Are the Holy Scriptures the word of God ? 

Yes, the Holy Scriptures are the word of God, but the 
meaning is given by the church, as there are things in 
them hard to be understood. — [n Peter 3.] 

How do we know that the Holy Scriptures are inspired, 
and the word of God ? 

We know it only by the church. 

What does St. Paul say of the Holy Scriptures ? 

He says that they are profitable to teach, and thereby 
makes us understand that they are particularly intended 
for the pastors. — [11 Tim. 3, 16.] 

Is it necessary to read the Holy Scriptures ? 
There is no commandment to read them, neither from 
God nor from the church. 

Are the faithful allowed to read the Holy Scriptures ? 

Not only the faithful are allowed, but also they are 
invited to read the Holy Scriptures, provided they do it 
with a spirit of humility and submission to the decisions 
of the church. 



LESSON XIII.— GRACE AND COMMUNION OF SAINTS. 



Which is the fruit of the Redemption ? 
The fruit of the Redemption is grace. 



23 



What is grace ? 

Grace is a divine gift, granted through the merits of 
Christ, for salvation purposes. 

How many sorts of grace are there ? 
There are two sorts of grace, actual and sanctif^ng 
gr#ce. 

What is actual grace ? 

Actual grace is a divine assistance to do good and keep 
from sin. 

Is actual grace necessary ? 

Without grace we cannot keep from sin, nor perform 
good works, nor acquire any Christian virtue. 

What is the Catholic doctrine concerning faith, hope 
■and charity ? 

These virtues are divine gifts, poured fourth in our 
hearts by the Holy Ghost. — Rom. v : 5.] 

Does God always grant us sufficient grace to obey his 
£om?nandments, or resist temptation ? 

Yes, God always grants us sufficient grace, but we can 
•obtain more by prayer and good disposition. 

What is sanctifying grace ? . ' 

Sanctifying grace is our spiritual union to Christ. 

When are we in the state of sanctifying grace ? 
We are in the state of sanctifying grace when we are 
free from mortal sin. 

What is the effect of sanctifying grace ? 
It makes us pleasing to God, and our good works mer- 
itorious, 

What does it follow from our union to Christ by 
sanctifying grace ? 

It follows that we are united also to the saints in heaven 
and to the souls in purgatory, forming together a spirit- 
ual body, called the Communion of Saints. 



24 



How is sanctifying grace acquired? 
By baptism. 

Hozv is sanctifying grace recovered zvhen lost ? 
By Penance. 



LESSON XIV.— THE FOUR LAST THINGS. 

What is death ? 

Death is the separation of our soul from our body. 

- Is it all at an end zvith us zvhen we die ? 
No, there is another life, because our soul is immortal. 

What becomes of our body after death ? 
It is decomposed and turned into dust. 

What becomes of our soul ? 

It appears before God for judgment. 

What is that judgment ? 

A sentence of God fixing our condition for all eternity. 

Is there not to be another judgment? 
Yes, there will be another, at the end of the world,, 
called the general judgment, confirming the former. 

Where do we go after thejtidgment ? 
To heaven, to hell or to purgatory. 

What is heaven ? 

A place of bliss, where the just see God and are quite 
happy for all eternity. 

Who are those zvho go to heaven ? 

Those who die free from all sin and debt to the divine 
j ustice. 



25 

What is hell? 

A place of woe and torment, where the wicked are 
punished during ail eternity. 

Who are the wicked who go to hell ? 
Those who die in the state of mortal sin. 

What is purgatory ? 

A place where souls are detained and suffer till they 
obtain admittance into heaven. 

Who are those who go to purgatory ? 
Those who die in venial sin, or with any debt to the 
divine justice. 

Can we relieve the souls in purgatory ? 
Yes, we can relieve them, by prayer, good works, and. 
particularly by the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. 



LESSON XV.— THE END OF THE WORLD. 

Will the world last forever ? 

It will come to an end, preceded by frightful signs. 

What will then take place ? 

The resurrection of the body and the general judg- 
ment. 

What is the resurrection of the body ? : 
It is the coming again of all men to life with their souls; 
and bodies. 

Why will there be a general judgment ? 
To avenge the justice of God, and confound iniquity. 

How will that judgment be carried on ? 

Jesus Christ will come down from heaven with great 
majesty, and all men, who ever lived, will appear before 
him, the just on his right hand, and the wicked on his, 
left hand. 



26 

What will the Sovereign Judge say to the just ? 
Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the king- 
dom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 

What will he say to the zuicked ' ? 

Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, 
which was prepared for the devil and his angels.^-[St. 
Matt. ch. xxv.] 



SECOND PART. 



SACRAMENTS. 
LESSON I. • 



How does the church give us the benefit of the Redemp- 
tion ? 

By the sacraments. 

What is a sacra?nenl ? 

A sacrament is a sacred rite, instituted by Christ to 
convey grace to our soul. 

How many sacraments are there ? 

There are seven sacraments : Baptism, Confirmation, 
Holy Eucharist, Penance, Extreme-Onetion, Holy Order 
and Matrimony. 

Do the sacraments convey grace whenever we receive 
Jhem ? . 

They convey grace only when they are received in due 
^disposition. 



2? 



Are all the sacraments to be receded several himes ? 
Some are to be received only once ; some very often ; 
some in particular circumstances of life. 

Which are received only once ? 
Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Order. 

Why ? 

Because they imprint on the soul a character which is 
for all eternity. 

Which are designed specially for forgiving sins ? 
Baptism and Penance. 

How are they called ? 

The sacraments of the dead ; because they rescue us 
from the death of sin. 

How do you call the others ? 

The sacraments of the living ; because they are only 
for those who possess the life of grace. 

What sacrament is to be received the first ? 
Baptism, which is as it were the door of the church. 



LESSON II.— BAPTISM. 

What is Baptisni? 

Baptism is a sacrament by which we are released from 
original sin, made children of God and members of the 
church. 

Does Baptism remit only original sin ? 
It remits all sins. 

Does anything of sin remain after baptism ? - 
After baptism nothing remains of sin, neither guilt 
nor penalty. 



28 



Is baptism very necessary ? 

Baptism is so very necessary that even infants who die 
unbaptised cannot enter into heaven. 

What did our Savior say to urge the necessity of bap- 
tism ? 

Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy 
Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (St. 
John in : 5.) 

Who are the right ministei's of baptism ? 
The right ministers of baptism are the priests, but in 
the case of necessity anybody can baptise. 

How is baptism given ? 

Baptism is given by pouring true water on the receiver, 
and saying at the same time : I baptise thee in the name 
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 

On which part of the body is the water to be poured? 
On the head as much as possible. 

Are the ceremonies of the ritual necessary ? 

They are not necessary for the validity of the sacra- 
ment, but they are ordered by the church, and it is a sin 
to neglect them. 

What is to be done when an infant receives private 
baptism ? 

The infant must be brought to church, and the ceremo- 
nies be supplied as soon as possible. 

Is it a sin for parents to delay the christening of their 
children ? 

Yes, it is a great sin, because they expose them to be 
deprived of seeing God. 

Where do infants go when they die unbaptised ? 
They go neither to heaven nor to hell, but to a place 
where they are deprived of seeing God. 



29 

LESSON III.— CONFIRMATION. 

What is confirmation ? 

Confirmation is a sacrament by which we receive the 
Holy Ghost and are fortified in faith. 

Was that sacrament in use in the beginning of the 
thurch ? 

We see by the Acts that the Apostles were administer- 
ing it to the faithful. 

Is confirmation very necessary for salvation ? 

Confirmation is not necessary for salvation, as Baptism 
is, but it is tempting God to neglect when we have an 
opportunity to receive it. 

What dispositions are requisite to receive it ? 

The dispositions requisite are to be in the state of grace, 
well instructed in the religion, and ready to follow the 
inspirations of the Hoty Ghost. 

Who are the right ministers of confirmation ? 
The Bishops. 

How does a bishop give confirmatio7i ? 
By imposing his hands, invoking the Holy Ghost and 
annointing our forehead with Holy Chrism. 

What is Holy Chrism ? 

It is a mixture of balsam and olive oil, blessed by the 
Bishop on Good Thursday. 

What does it signify ? 

It signifies the good odor of the christian virtues we 
are to practice, and the grace of fortitude we receive by 
the sacrament. 

Why does the bishop give a little blow on the cheek ? 

To remind us that, being made soldiers of Christ, we 
must be ready to suffer persecution and derision for his 
sake. 



30 



LESSON IV.— HOLY EUCHARIST. 

W hat is the Holy Eucharist ? 

The Holy Eucharist is a sacrament that contains the 
true body and the true blood of Jesus Christ, under the 
appearance of bread and wine. 

Dees the Holy Eucharist contain only the body and 
blood af Jesus Christ. 

It contains also his soul and his divinity, which cannot 
be separated from his body and blood. 

What effect does that sacrament produce ? 

It maintains and perfects our spiritual union to Christ. 

When did Christ institute the Holy Eucharist ? 

Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist at his Last Supper, 
when he changad bread and wine into his body and 
blood, and said to his apostles : Do this in commemora- 
tion of me. (St. Luke xxii.) 

Who can make the Holy Eucharist ? 
Only those who are duly ordained priests, can make 
the Holy Eucharist. 

Where is thai sacrament made ? 
It is made at the mass. 

What is requisite to make it? 
Bread and wine. 

What becomes of the bread and wine at the mass I 
The bread and wine at the mass are really and 

substantially changed into the body and blood of Jesus 

Christ. 

At what moment of the mass ? 

At the moment of the consecration, when the priest says 
in the name of Jesus Christ, This is my body, this is. 

MY BLOOD. 

How do we call that wonderful change ? 
Transubstantiation. 



31 



What remains of the bread and wine after the conse- 
cration ? 

After the consecration, nothing remains of the bread 
and wine but the appearances. 

What are appearances ? 

Appearances are shape, color and taste. 

How long does yesus Christ remain in the Holy Eu- 
charist? 

Jesus Christ remains really present in the Holy Eucha- 
rist as long as the appearances continue to subsist. 

Is not yesus Christ divided in the Holy Eucharist, his 
body being on one side and his blood on the other? 

Jesus Christ is not divided in the Holy Eucharist, but 
he is really and wholly present in each kind. 

When the priest divides the consecrated host, or the 
precious blood, does he not divide yesus Christ ? 

The priest does not divide Jesus Christ, who remains 
entire and whole in every part of each kind. 



LESSON V.— MASS. 

Is the Holy Eucharist only a sacrament ? 
It is also a sacrifice, which we call Mass. 

What is a sacrifice ? 

A solemn offering to God, in acknowledgement of his 
supreme and absolute dominion. 

What is required for a sacrifice ? 
A victim whose life is offered to God. 

Was Chris fs death a sacrifice ? 

It is the only true sacrifice that was ever offered to God. 



32 



Why? 

Because all the other sacrifices, practiced of old, were 
mere figures of that of the cross. 

What did Christ offer to God on the cross / 
He offered to God his life and sufferings for our 
redemption, being at, once sacrificer and victim. 

How is the mass a sacrsfice ? 

The mass is a sacrifice because it is the continuation ol 
the sacrifice of the cross. 

What does Christ offer to God at the mass ? 
He offers his same body that was crucified, and his 
same blood that was shed. 

Who is the sacrificer at the mass, Christ or the Priest ? 
Christ is the sacrificer, and the priest only his minister. 

What is the merit of a mass ? 

The merit of a single mass is infinite as well as that of 
the cross. 

How should we attend to the mass ? 

We should attend with the same respect and the same 
awe as if we were standing by the cross and looking at 
Jesus crucified. 



LESSON VI.— COMMUNION. 

What is communion ? 

Communion is the receiving of the sacrament of the 
Holy Eucharist. 

How many sorts of communion are there'* 
There are three sorts of communion : worthy, luke 
warm, and sacrilegious comununion. 



33 



When is communion worthy ? 

When it is made in the state of grace, and with due 
preparation and devotion. 

When is communion lukewarm ? 

When it is made without sufficient preparation nor de- 
votion. 

When is communion sacrilegious ? 

When it is made in the state of mortal sin. 

What does St. Paid say of those who 7? lake sacrilegious 
commnnions ? 

He says that they are guilty of the body and blood of 
the Lord, and eat and drink judgment to themselves, (i 
Corinth., XI.) 

Are there any dispositions of the body requisite for 
communion ? 

Yes, there are two dispositions of the body requisite for 
communion : full fasting from previous midnight, and 
pious manners. 

When should zee communicate? 

We should very often communicate according to the 
ordinance of Christ, who made us understand that com- 
munion is for our soul what nourishment is for our body. 

Which is the ordinaiice of the church ? 
The ordinance of the church is that we communicate 
on Easter time, and whenever we are dangerously sick. 

How is the communion of the sick called ? 
Viaticum, which means provision for the journey to 
eternity. 

Are the sick obliged to be fasting ? 
The sick are exempt from fasting when they take the 
viaticum. 



34 

LESSON VII.— PENANCE. 

J Vh at is pen a n ce ? 

Penance is a sacrament that remits our sins after bap- 
tism. 

When did Christ institute that sacrament ? 
Christ instituted that sacrament when he gave power to 
his apostles to forgive or retain sins. (John xx.) 

When do zee receive it ? 

We receive it when a priest, duly approved, gives us 
absolution. 

What is absolution ? 

Absolution is a sentence by which a priest, in the name 
of Christ, remits our sins. 

Does absolution, like baptism, remove everything of 
sin ? 

Absolution removes the guilt as well as the eternal 
penalty of sin, but it leaves a temporal punishment for 
this or the other life. 

What is requisite to receive penance ? 

Three things are requisite: confession, contrition, and 
satisfaction, which are called the essential parts of the 
sacrament. 



What is confession ? 

Confession is a declaration of all our sins to a priest, 
in order to obtain absolution. 

What must confession be to be good ? 
Confession, to be good, must be humble, sincere, and 
entire. 

What must we do before confession ? 
We must examine seriously our conscience. 



.-;,) 



Is confession good when grievous sins are forgotten ? 
Confession cannot be good if grievous sins are omitted 
for want of examination or recollection. 

When there is no fault cf curs, are forgotten sins for- 
given ? 



Forgotten sins, then, are forgiven as well as the others ; 
however, they must be brought in a next confession. 



What is contrition ? 

Contrition is a hearty sorrow for having offended God, 
with a firm purpose not to offend him again. 

What must contrition be to be good? 
It must be interior, supernatural, universal and sov- 
ereign. 

When is contrition interior? 

When it does exist truly in our heart. 

When is it supernatural ? 

When it proceeds from religious motives. 

Which are the most usual motives of contrition ? 
The deformity of sin, the fear of damnation, the good- 
ness of God, and the passion of Christ. 

When is contrition universal? 
When it reaches all our grievous sins. 

When is it sovereign ? 

When it is stronger than all natural feelings and worldly 
attractions. 



What is satisfaction ? 

Satisfaction is the reparation we owe to God and to the 



neighbor for our sins. 



36 



How do we give satisfaction to God ? 

By humbly accepting the temporal punishment that 
remains after absolution, and taking efficacious measures 
to prevent relapsing into sin. 

How do zoe give satisfaction to our neighbor ? 
By repairing, as far as possible, the injury or damage, 
spiritual and temporal, caused by our sins. 

What is the penance that we receive in confession ? 
It is a good work enjoined by our confessor, for the 
satisfaction we owe to God. 

Which is the benefit of that penance ? 
It is easier and more meritorious than anything else we 
can do. 

Are zv e obliged to fulfill it ? 

Yes, we are obliged to fulfill it, because it is a part of 
the sacrament. 

How do pious people fulfill their penance ? 

Pious people never remit their penance from day to day, 
but fulfill it without delay, in order to secure all the fruit 
of the sacrament. 

Is there no possibility to be reconciled to God without 
confession nor absolution, when there is no priest at hand ? 

In case of necessity, we can be reconciled to God by a 
perfect contrition, including the desire of the sacrament. 

When is contrition perfect ? 

Contrition is perfect when it is very strong, and proceeds 
merely from the love of God. 

If we can be reconciled to God by a perfect contrition, 
where is the benefit of the sacrament ? 

In the sacrament, so perfect a contrition is not required. 



37 



LESSON VIII.— INDULGENCES. 

What are indvlgences ? 

Indulgences are the remission of the temporal punish- 
ment due to sin. 

By wh&m are indulgences granted? 
Indulgences are granted by the pastors of the church, 
but particularly by the pope. 

When did Christ give such a power to his church ? 

Christ gave that power to his church when he said to 
his apostles : Whatsoever you shall loose upon earth shall 
be loosed also in heaven. — (St. Math, xvm, 18.) 

How many sorts of indulge?ices are there ? 
There are two sorts of indulgences : plenary and par- 
tial indulgences. 

What are plenary indulgences ? 

Plenary indulgences are those that are granted with the 
intent to remit all temporal penalty of sin. 

What are partial indulgences ? 

Partial indulgences are those that are limited in their 
extent, according to certain rules received in the church. 

What is a jubilee ? 

A jubilee is a plenary indulgence, granted with more 
solemnity than usually. 

What is requisite to gain indulgences I 
Two conditions are requisite : First, to be in the state 
of grace ; Second, to fulfill everything that is prescribed. 

May we apply the indulgences to the souls i?i purgatory ? 
Yes, we may, particularly those that are designed for it, 
but only by mere suffrage. 

What do yoti mean by mere suffrage ? 
We mean that God, then, is not bound to grant our 
request, though it is very agreeable to him. 



33 



LESSON IX.— EXTREME UNCTION. 

What is extreme miction ? 

It is a sacrament that gives us comfort and relief in 
sickness, both for the soul and body. 

What does St. jatues say of this sacrament) in his 
epistle ? 

He says : is any man sick among you, let him bring in 
the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, 
annointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the 
prayer of the faith shall save the sick man, and the Lord 
shall raise him up; and if he be in sins they shall be for- 
given him. — (James v.) 

What relief does that sacrament give to the soul ? 

It increases sanctifying grace, and gives us the special 
graces we want in sickness, of patience, resignation, and 
strength to overcome temptations. 

What relief does it give to the body ? 
It often soothes our pains, and sometimes restores us to 
health, if expedient for our spiritual welfare. 

How does it forgive sins ? 

It forgives sins by supplying to some extent, and in 
some cases, the sacrament of penance. 

When should we receive that sacrament ? 
When we are in danger of death by sickness. 

How to receive it with a better fruit ? 
We must send for the priest in time, and not wait till 
we are deprived of our senses. 



LESSON X.— HOLY ORDER. 

What is Holy Order ? 

Holy order is a sacrament that confers the character of 
priesthood, and gives grace to discharge the functions of 
the ministiy. 



39 



When did Christ institute holy order ? 

Christ instituted holy order at His Last Supper, when 
He command His Apostles to offer the holy sacrifice of 
the mass. 

How many degrees of priesthood are there ? 
There are two degrees of priesthood : bishops and 
priests. 

IIozv do they differ ? 
They differ in two points. 

Which is the first? 

Bishops are the regular pastors and rulers of the church; 
priests are only deputies, and cannot exercise the 
ministry but under the rule of the bishops. 

Which is the second? 

Bishops have power to administer all the sacraments; 
priests cannot give confirmation nor holy order. 

Is it a great sin to fail in respect to a priest ? 
Yes, it is a great sin, because priests are the anointed 
of the Lord, and the representatives of Christ. 

What does St. Bernard say of priests ? 
He says : God preferred them to angels. 



LESSON XI .— M ATRI MON Y . 

What is matrimony ? 

Matrimony, as a Sacrament, is the christian marriage. 

What is marriage ? 

Marriage is the union of a man and a woman as heads 
of family. 



40 



Who instituted marriage ? 

God Himself instituted marriage, when, in the begin- 
ning of the world, He commanded man and woman to 
live together in family. 

What did Christ for marriage ? 

Christ raised the marriage of Christians to the dignity 
of a sacrament. 

What effects does the sacrament produce ? 
It makes the union of spouses holy, and gives them 
daily graces to discharge their duties as heads of family. 

In what dispositions should those who contract mar- 
riage be ? 

They should be in the state of grace, and well instruct- 
ed in religion. 

How should married people live to obtain the daily 
graces of matrimony. 

They should live in modesty, charity, piety, and be 
very zealous for the education of their children. 

How is marriage contracted? 

Marriage is contracted by a free, lawful and mutual 
consent. 

When is marriage consent lawful? 
When it is in accordance with the regulations of the 
church. 

What are those regulations ? 

They are of two kinds: prohibitions and impediments. 

What do prohibitions purport ? 

They forbid marrying in certain cases or without certain 
conditions, but if not complied with, they do not make 
the marriage void, only sinful. 

What do impediments purport ? 
Impediments make marriage void. 



41 



Does not the church sometimes dispense with those pro- 
hibitions or impediments ? 

Yes, she sometimes dispenses, but she always requires 
good and strong reasons. 

Can marriage be dissolved ? 

Marriage can never be dissollved, for Christ said : 
What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. 
(Mat. xix: 6.) 



THIRD PART. 



COMMANDMENTS. 

LESSON I. 

Is it enough for salvation to believe the mysteries of the 
religion ? 

We must also obey its commandments, because faith 
without works is dead. — (St. James II. 26.) 

What are commandments ? 

Commandments are rules of conduct, either from God 
or from the church. 

How many com?nandments of God are there ? 
There are ten commandments of God, called Deca- 
logue. (See p. 6.) 

When did God reveal those commandments ? 
God revealed them first to Adam, then to Moses, and 
finally they were explained and confirmed by Jesus Christ. 

How many commandments of the church are there ? 
They are many, but those concerning the community at 
large may be reduced to six. 



42 



Do the commandments of tlie church oblige us as well 
as those of God? 

The commandments of the church oblige us as well as 
those of God ; for Christ said to his apostles : "He that 
heareth you, heareth me; he that despiseth you, despiseth 
me." (St. Luke, x. 16.) 



LESSON II.— DECALOGUE. 

Which is the first commandment of God ? 
I am the Lord thy God ; thou slialt have no strange 
gods before me. 

What does that commandment prescribe ? 
It prescribes to adore God alone, as the sovereign Lord 
of all things and the source of all good. 

How do iv e adore God ? 
By faith, hope arid charity. 

What is faith ? 

Faith is a firm ascent to whatever God revealed, relying 
on his veracity and the teaching of the church. (See les- 
son on grace.) 

What is hope ? 

Hope is an entire reliance on the bounty of God and 
the merits of Christ for salvation and the means of salva- 
tion. 

What is charity ? 

Charity is loving God above all and our neighbor as 
ourselves for God's sake. 

When do we frtily loUe God? 

When we seek to please him in all our actions, and are 
ready to part with everything or every one, rather than to 
offend him. 



43 

Who is the neighbor*.' 

The neighbor is all mankind, that is to say, we must 
love all men without exception. 

Must we love all ?nen equally ? 

We may, and must love more some than others, accord- 
ing to relationship or friendship. 

Must 7ve love our enemies ? 

We must love our enemies, do good to them, and never 
revenge. 

What did our Savior say on that subject ? 
" Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, 
and pray for them that persecute you. (St. Matt. VII. 12.) 

When do we truly love the neighbor ? 
When we do to the others whatsoever we would they 
should do to us in like circumstances. 



LESSON II J. 

By what practical means are we to adore God? 
By prayer and deeds or charity. 

What do you tender stand by deeds of charity ? 
Anything by which we relieve the temporal and spirit- 
ual wants of the neighbor. 

What is prayer ? 

An humble petition to God. 

Is prayer only a petition ? 

It is also any act of faith, hope and charity. 

How must prayer he done to be acceptable to God? 
It must be done with attention, devotion, perseverance 
and humility. 



44 



How often should we pray ? 

Our Savior said that we should pray at all times. (St. 
Luke XXI. 36.) 

How can we pray at all times ? 
By offering to God all our actions. 

J/ow is praying performed ? 

By way of meditation, or by using the forms of prayer 
approved by the church. 

Did not our Savior himself give a fonn of prayer ? 
He gave one, called the Lord's prayer, which all Chris- 
tions should know. 

Say it. 

Our Father, &c. (See p. 4.) 

Is it sufficient to adore God individually and privately ■ 
We owe to God also a public and solemn worship, to 
which every one must attend and contribute. 

Where does that public worship taka place ? 
In churches. 

What are good Christians wont to do in reference to 
the first commandment ? 

They say prayers night and morning, offer their actions 
to God from time to time during the day, attend regularly 
to the offices of f he church, and contribute to the expenses 
of the religion according to their means and the rules of 
each diocese. 

How do we break that commandment ? 
£y idolatry, superstition, fortune-telling, magical prac- 
tices, and finally, by neglecting prayer and church. 



LESSON IV.— DECALOGUE. 

What is idolatry ? 

Idolatry is worshipping creatures as gods, or like God, 



45 



May we, however, worship angels and saints ? 
We ought to worship angels and saints, but not like 
God. 

What kind of worship do we owe the??i ? 
A worship relating to God. 

May we pray them ? 

Yes, we may pray them to join and support our prayers 
before God. 

Is it not injurious to the mediation of Christ? 
No more than to claim the prayers of our brethren, as 
very often does St. Paul in his epistles. 

What saint is the most deserving our -worship and con- 
fidence. 

The Blessed Virgin Mary. 

Do ive not go too far in our devotion to the Blessed 
Virgin ? 

We only obey the commandment of the Holy Ghost, 
who made her say : All generations shall call me blessed. 
(St. Luke, I. 48.) 

What do you say of relics and images ? 

We ought to venerate relics and holy images for what 
they ^represent, and the holy thoughts they convey to 
mind. 

Is it not forbidden by the first commmdment of God 
to make use of images or graven things ? 

It is forbiden to adore images, as do idolaters, but it is 
not forbidden to make use of them. 

Can you prove it? 

There were, by a special order of God, images on the 
arc of the testimony, (Exod. XXV. 22,) and in the temple 
of wSolomon. (ill Kings, VI. 27.) 



40 



LESSON V.— DECALOGUE— 2D AND 3 d COMMANDMENTS 
OF GOD. 

Which is the second commandment of God? 
Thou shalt not take the name of God in vain. 

What does ih'U commandment forbid? 
It forbids us using the name of God, or any sacred 
name, elisres pectfully. 

J low do we break that command me) a ? 
By cursing, blaspheming, swearing, violating our vows, 
and by perjury. 

What is swearing ? 

Swearing, or making an oath, is an appeal to God for 

the truth of what we say. 

Is (dl swearing bad ': 

All swearing is not bad, but private and indiscreet 
swearing. 

When is swearing licit? 

When it is for a grave cause, or at the request of a 
superior. 

When sworn* are we obliged to say truth f 
Yes, we are obliged to say froth, and the whole truth, 
cost what it may. 

What is perjury 1 
Perjury is a false oath. 

Is perjury a crime f 

Perjury is one of the greatest crimes that man can 
commit. 



Which is the third commandment of God ? 
Tho sha't keep holy the sabbath day. 

What does that commandment prescribe f 
To appropriate all Sundays for the public service of God. 



47 



What must we do on Sunday ? 

We must rest from manual work, if not necessary, keep 
from profane amusements, and attend to church. 



LESSON VI. — DECALOGUE — 4 th, sth AND 6th COM- 
MANDMENTS OF GOD. 

Which is the fourth commandment of God f 
Honor thy father and mother, that thou mayest live a 
long time. 

What does thai commandment prescribe 1 
To love, obey, respect, and if necessary, support your 

parents. 

What I else does that commandment prescribe ? 
It prescribes also to respect and obey our temporal and 
spiritual superiors. 

Which is the fifth commandment of God f 
Thou shalt not kill. 

What does that commandment forbid f 
Murder, suicide, and doing any injury to human body, 
as well as lighting, quarreling, hatred and revenge. 

Does that commandment forbid only the murder 
of the body f 

It forbids, also, the murder of the soul, that is to say, 
scandal. 

What is scandal f 
Scandal is anything by which we induce others to sin. 



Which is the sixth commandment of God f 
Thou shalt not commit adultery. 



48 



What does that commandment forbid*! 

It forbids lust and every thing conducive to it, like in- 
temperance, idleness, bad company, improper familiarities, 
immodest conversations, and so forth. 

What virtue is opposite to lust ? 
Chastity. 

Which are the ordinary means to preserve br 
acquire chastity f 

Prayer, modesty, mortification, frequent confession and 
communion. 



LESSON VII.— DECALOGUE — 7th, 8th, 9 th AND ioth 
COMMANDMENTS OF GOD. 

Which is the seventh commandment of God? 
Thou shalt not steal. 

What does that commandment forbid? 
It forbids all unjust taking away or keeping what be- 
longs to others, as well as wronging anybody. 

What must we do when we have committed any theft, 
robbery, cheating or szcnndling ? 

We must make restitution, because thieves cannot go to 
heaven. 

What must we do when zve have wronged somebody ? 
We must pay or repair the damage as for as possible. 

When we find money, or any thing valuable, can we 
appropriate it to ourselves ? 

It must be restored to the owner, and if the owner is 
not known, we are bound to make sufficient inquiries. 

Which is the eighth commandment of God ? 

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. 



49 



What does that commandment forbid ? 
It forbids telling lies, detraction, calumny, and rash 
judgment. 

Can a lie be a mortal sin ? 

Yes, when it deceives or injures the neighbor in a seri- 
ous manner. 



Which is the ninth commandment of God? 
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife. 

What do s that commandment forbid ? 
It forbids willful desires of lust. 

Does U not forbid also impure thoughts ? 
It forbids also impure thoughts, because they engender 
bad desires. 

Is a lewd desire less sinful than a bad action ? 
There is no difference before God. 



Width is the tenth cowman dm fvt of God ? 
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods. 

What does that commandment forbid ? 
It forbids envy, jealousy, covetousness, and all desire 
to acquire riches by unlawful means. 



LESSON VIII.— COMMANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH*. 

Which are the most usual commandments of the church ? 

1. To hear mass on Sundays and holy-days. 

2. To keep holy, like Sundays, the feasts of obligation. 

3. To confess at least once a year. 

4. To make the holy communion at Easter. 

5. To fast on Lent, Ember days, Vigils, and Fridays of 
advent. 

6. To abstain from flesh meat all Fridays and also on 
fasting days when there is no dispensation of the bishop. 



50 



Which are the feasts of obligation that fall on week days? 

I. The circumcision; 2, the epiphany ; 3, the annun- 
ciation; 4, the ascension; 5, corpus christi; 6, the 
assumption; 7, all saints; 8, the immaculate conception; 
9, Christmas. 

At what age do we begin to be bound to fast? 
At the age of 21 years. 

What are the ordinary reasons which dispense from 
fasting ? 

Sickness, old age, hard labor, nursing and pregnancy. 



LESSON IX,— SIN. 

What is it when we break a commandment ? 
It is sin. 

What does sin mean ? 
Disobedience or rebellion to God. 

Are all sin equal ? 

Some are mortal, some venial. 

What is a mortal sin ? 

A wilful and grievous transgression of the law of God. 

What injury does it cause ? 

It deprives us altogether of sanctifying grace. 

Why is it called mortal or deadly sin ? 
Because it is* a spiritual death, breaking' our union to 
Christ. 

What punishment does it deserve ? 
The eternal pains of hell. 

What is a venial sin ? 

It is likewise a transgression of the law of God, but not 
grievous or quite wilful. 



51 



What injury does it cause ? 

It diminishes sanctifying grace and disposes us to mor^ 
tal sin. 

What punishment: does it deserve ? 

A temporal punishment, which is to be suffered in this 
life by a voluntary penance, or hereafter in purgatory. 

What are capital sins ? 

They are evil inclinations, to which, as to their source, 
all sins are referred, according to their predominant malice. 

How many are they ? 

Seven : pride, covetousness, lust, envy, gluttony, anger 
and sloth. 



LESSON X.— GOOD WORKS. 

What are good works / 

Good works are actions performed in accordance with 
the law of God or with the evangelical counsels. 

WJiat benefit is there in doing good works ? 

We secure a reward in heaven for e\ ery good work we do. 

Is there nothing requisite to make our good works mer- 
itorious ? 

We must be in the state of grace and have a pure in- 
tention. 

Are the good works of sinners destitue of all merit ? 
They are not meritorious for heaven, but they serve to 
propitiate the mercy of God. 

What are virtues ? 
Habits of doing good. 

How do we acquire the christian virtues ? 
By practice, but particularly by the grace of God. Some 
are mere gifts of God. 

How many sorts of virtues are there ? 
There are two sorts of virtues: The theological and the 
moral virtues. 



52 



Which are the former ? 
Faith, hope and charity. (See page 4.) 

Why are they called theological ? 

Because their immediate object is God himself. 

Are they most necessary for salvation ? 
There is nothing more necessary. 



LESSON XI. 

What are the moral virtues ? 
Good habits relating to morals. 

How are they divided ? 

Into three classes: 1st, the cardinal virtues; 2d, the 
capital virtues ; 3d, the virtues of perfection. 

Which are the cardinal virtues ? 
Prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude. 

What is prudence ? 

The habit of being considerate in all things. 

What is justice ? 

The habit of giving each one his due. 

What is temperance or moderation ? 

The habit of keeping from extremes and excesses. 

What is fortitude? 

The habit of being steadfast and persevering in our 
resolutions and enterprises. 

Why are they called cardinal? 

Because they precede and uphold the other virtues. 

What are the capital virtues ? 

Seven virtues opposed to the seven capital sins. 

Which are they ? 

Humility, liberality, chastity, charity, temperance, meek- 
ness and zeal. 

What are the virtues of perfection ? 

The practice of the evangelical counsels, like voluntary 
poverty, perpetual chastity, abstinence of all intoxi- 
cating drink, &c. 



r > 



